'Anti-Semitism is poisonous': hundreds gather for rally against anti-Jewish attacks

MORE than 1,000 campaigners have taken to the steps of London's Royal Courts of Justice today to demand "zero tolerance" of anti-Semitism in Britain.

Hundreds gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand for today's rally[LEE THOMAS]

Unless we act now to force the issue, anti-Semites will continue to go unpunished and the nature of British society will change.

Campaign Against Anti-Semitism spokesman

The newly-formed Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAAS) says Jewish people in Britain are facing "levels of anti-Semitism not seen in this country for almost a century".

Pointing to attacks on individuals, businesses and synagogues, the group was joined by hundreds of supporters at 2pm today to demand greater action by the police and the Government to combat hostility towards Jewish people across the UK.

"Unless we act now to force the issue, anti-Semites will continue to go unpunished and the nature of British society will change.

"We must unite to turn the tide," the group said in a statement.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis addressed the crowd on the issue of anti-Jewish feeling in Britian.

"Antisemitism is poisonous not only for Jews, but for all humanity.

"Whilst we are fortunate to live in a country where the fight against antisemitism is being led by our government, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that there will be zero tolerance of antisemitism in our society.

"The commitment and drive in this regard shown by grassroots activists across our community is to be commended," he said before the event.

Maajid Nawaz, a Muslim activist and co-founder of Quilliam, a counter-extremism think tank, and Douglas Murray, a conservative commentator and associate director of the Henry Jackson Society, were also due to speak.

CAAS says there has been a sharp spike in Judeophobic attacks, especially since Israeli armed forces launched Operation Protective Edge on July 8 in the Gaza Strip.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, spokesman for CAAS, said: "There is a wave of widespread anti-Semitism sweeping across Europe, and also here in Britain.

"British Jews are afraid. Citizens are looking to the police and government to enforce the law with zero-tolerance against antisemites, as they do in other cases of racism.

"It is only through zero-tolerance that the tide of anti-Semitism can be turned. This demand is backed by the full spectrum of Jewish organisations.”

Rising anti-Semitism and mass protests against the Israeli assault on Gaza have prompted almost two-thirds of British Jews to question their future in the UK, according to a Jewish Chronicle poll published earlier this month.

The Chronicle asked 150 people: “Since the protests against the war in Gaza began, have you or your friends had a discussion about whether there is a future for Jews in the UK?”

About 63 per cent replied: “Yes.”

The Community Security Trust, which works to protect the Jewish community, has reported that July was the second worst month of anti-Semitism since British records began, with 240 incidents logged.

Campaigners call for zero tolerance of anti-Semitism on the Strand today [LEE THOMAS]

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said work must be done to curb anti-Semitism [LEE THOMAS]

Supermarkets selling ­Israeli goods have been targeted, synagogues have been vandalised and MP George Galloway was interviewed by police for ­declaring Bradford “an Israel-free zone”.

During a recent interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Rabbi Mirvis said that, while criticising Israeli policy did not constitute anti-Semitism, it did “create a context within which anti-Semitism can thrive.”

A shop owned by Jewish charity Norwood, whose president is ­Express Newspapers owner Richard Desmond, has been targeted with pro-Gaza posters.

A sign proclaiming “Hitler was right” was also displayed at a recent rally for Gaza.

Communities Minister Lord Ahmed has raised concerns about the apparent increase in anti-Jewish sentiment in the House of Lords.

The Institute for Jewish Policy Research reports that up to 80 per cent of British Jews say non-Jews blame them for the Israeli government’s actions.